Sorry for the late posting, we didn’t have internet from Thursday till today.
Just a recap of two weeks ago (Oct. 27-31). We talked about... the separation that happened due to the fall, who God is and who we are (why wouldn’t we want a relationship with God when we know how it can be), Implications of the Cross, our condition in life versus our position with God, why it can be hard to grasp God’s grace and acceptance for us, a loving response to God’s grace and love, spiritual disciplines and finally we learned about the difference between living by the flesh and living by the fruits (Galations 5:19-22). This was an awesome week of reassurance of what I believe, Thank you Jesus!
Last week we were learning about the holy spirit. Mike Phillips had been showing us how the holy spirit fits into the trinity. He shared with us how the holy spirit lives in us and therefore, God is in us. It is an awesome realization that I know I have known for years, but never took to heart that God is always here with me because he lives inside me through the holy spirit. And when I have a relationship with him then God can speak directly to me. Mike shared with us that in the Bible Pharaoh, Balem, and Belshazar all heard God, but because they did not share a relationship with Him like Adam, Noah, Moses... they heard Him through Physical means--other people, other things. This may be a hard thing for you to believe and I am still coming to an understanding of how and that He does speak to me/you.
Thursday we had an awesome lesson. One thing we learned was about the lies that satan likes to put in our heads. Lies about shame, fear, abandonment, we are not/cannot be loved, we can do it on our own (independence), powerless, tainted, hopeless. In all these things we can know the truth, but still believe in the lie. I’ve struggled a lot with the lie of not being accepted as I am, that people won’t love me or like me for who I am. Therefore, it is hard for me to believe people like me. I try to show them a person that I think they will like but isn’t really me and sometimes I feel I don’t know who the real me is. Last week Thursday God reminded me of two memories from my childhood, one time where I felt rejected by classmates and one time when a friend and I were both enjoying life on the swings at recess. The lie is something I still believed today, that because I felt rejected I am rejected/not accepted by others. God showed me that I had taken the situation in the wrong light and therefore making the lie seem like a truth up until now. God is working in me to find joy when others are having a good time and to not think that because I wasn’t the one that was funny or brought the joy that I am not a joy bringer. Wow! I feel so free, so happy, so at peace with who God made me to be.
I want to thank everyone for your prayers, I know that your prayers are allowing me to open up to God, to myself and let God work in me to be the person He wants me to be, His servant. I ask that you continue to pray for God to reveal himself to me and that I may be reminded of His grace and love and peace. That God will become Alive in me!
When we allow God into our lives, to have a relationship with us we will be forever changed!
God Bless all of you!
In Christ,
Kathy Beth Miersma
Random Information:
*On November 17 my DTS will be leaving for Haiti for almost two weeks for our mini outreach.
*On January 13th my DTS will leave for Nicaragua for about 6 weeks for our big outreach.
Please pray for our preparations.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Wow!! You will be in Nicaragua for you birthday! Fun stuff!!
So excited to hear that you are at peace for who God created you to be. I know that he has made an incredible woman and friend (that's you!). Love you so much!
Every time I read your posts I feel like I can just feel the excitement coming all the way from St. Croix. It is amazing.
Much Love,
Jules
Hey lady!
“Wow! I feel so free, so happy, so at peace with who God made me to be.” This ranks in the top 5 (possibly top 3) greatest things I’ve ever heard – check that – read from you ever…I am so excited/ecstatic/happy/overjoyed for you! Keep at it Kath, there’s still so much more!
I read this passage the other day and thought of you and the foundation that you and God are laying:
Isaiah 33:6 - He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
I know it’s flying by quick and it’s tough to process it all, but take heart, cause the foundation that you’re laying (with Him) is like a “rich store” that you’ll be able to tap into for the rest of your life – “your times”.
(My mind always goes some where’s else when I use/see the word "tap", hopefully yours won’t, but if it does, try “utilize” instead – I don’t cause it sounds so business-y and after getting a business degree, I try to avoid words like that at all costs in normal people conversation:)…I guess “use” also works, but that’s so bland).
I also know it’s not all fun in the sun and sandy beaches, you have/will face struggles and challenges, but you are in the best place to grow from them (right where He wants you) and it is blatantly obvious how much you have already grown! God is so good, and here's the beauty, He NEVER lets go!
I hope you know what all this means Kathy Beth…before you know it (if not already:), you’re going to be forever ruined for the ordinary!
Have a spectacular rest of your week!
Love you much,
Your friend,
Matthew
Hey you!
What exactly should we be praying for your outreach to Haiti? Here's a list of questions that came to mind, I don't expect you to know the answers to all of them, but for those that you do...
-where exactly are you going?
-what are the needs of the people there?
-what are your needs as a group?
-what type of ministry will you be partaking in?
-what are you hoping to accomplish there? Anything specific?
-what has God shown you all to be praying for so we can join with you...give us the specifics?
-what are the dates and times of your flights so we can cover you all in prayer?
-will you be joining another organization/ministry while there? Who are they - names, ministry, needs?
-how are the finances of your group...for the school, outreach, and the next one?
-do/will you have an outreach itinerary/schedule that we can follow along with dates/activities so we know what to be praying for and when it's happening?
-how about you? How can we pray specifically for you!?
That's all I can think of right now, let me know if there's anything I missed.
Thanks KB, the more we know, the better we can pray:)
Love you much,
Your friend,
Matthew
Post a Comment